Commissioner
Christopher O. Ward of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection
(DEP) announced the introduction of new signage to identify the Central
Park Reservoir as the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir in whose honor
the Central Park Reservoir has been renamed. The signs will be visible
at various points around the Reservoir.

Commissioner Ward said, “In 1994, the New York City Council passed
Local Law 38, officially renaming the body of water formerly known as
the Central Park Reservoir as the JACQUELINE KENNEDY ONASSIS RESERVOIR,
and we are proud to be able to bestow this tribute to one of New York
City’s most cherished residents. Mrs. Kennedy Onassis was committed
to our City in many ways; through her efforts to beautify and improve
it for the public; her delight in the City’s many advantages and
opportunities, and particularly her love of Central Park. Today, the City
unveils the signs in recognition of her attachment and affection for New
York City and Central Park. The Reservoir will forever be appropriately
identified in the name of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Though the Reservoir
is no longer part of our City’s water delivery system, DEP can think
of no more appropriate way to honor Mrs. Kennedy Onassis in this pastoral
setting in the Park that she loved.”

Caroline Kennedy said, “My mother loved Central Park. She spent
countless hours enjoying its beauty and sharing its adventures as a child,
a mother and a grandmother. The Reservoir was one of her favorite places
and she was one of it’s earliest circumnavigators. I am grateful
to all New Yorkers for honoring her in this way.”

In addition to the signage to be hung inside the Reservoir fence, work
is ongoing to install a replica of the original fencing that existed when
the reservoir was completed in 1862. From that time until 1993 the Reservoir
served as a source of water flowing to the City from the Croton Reservoir,
the City’s first upstate water source

Today, the Reservoir plays an important role for New Yorkers as a source
of recreation and ecological interest. The 1.6-mile jogging path around
the Reservoir is regularly circled by hundreds of New Yorkers. Additionally,
nature lovers can traverse the Reservoir’s shores in search of turtles,
waterfowl, woodchucks, a variety of fish, as well as plants including
sumac, cattails, maples, oaks and elms and cherry trees that were a gift
to the City from the Japanese government.

A digital photo of the sign is available. Please call the DEP at (718)
595-6600 for information.